Molding, Casting and Thermoforming (oh my!)

[tk7602.livejournal.com]

Hello everyone,

Since Arisia is just days away, I thought it would be good to post up about 2 panels I'm doing this Sunday.

At 12:30 PM I'll be doing "Thermoforming: Bending Plastic to your Will"

One of the common questions stormtroopers get is about making the armor. This panel will be focused on thermoforming plastics: Heating it up, pulling it over a mold and using a vacuum to pull in fine details.

My goal for this presentation is to walk through the basics of how it all works, and provide examples of equipment ranging from salvaged home appliances to commercial grade formers.

I'll be bringing a table top vacuum forming machine built from a broken bread machine, and power willing will be able to do some live demonstrations.

At 3:30 PM I'll be doing another one about mold making and resin casting.

This will also be a fairly "hands on" panel in that I'll have molds and fast curing resin on hand so that we can actually cast up some simple pieces right there. Be careful, I may be looking for a volunteer assistant!

I'll also be giving away a molding and casting starter kit that includes silicone for the mold, resin to cast, an instructional DVD and more, donated to me by my local supplier, Reynolds Advanced Materials in Brighton.

Comments

[stormsdotter.livejournal.com]

Sorry for not responding earlier, I was helping with set-up.

I would be interested in being your assistant. I have never done resin casting, but have worked with plaster-of-paris molds and have very steady hands.

[tk7602.livejournal.com]

I'll most likely be calling for volunteers there. If you can mix equal parts of 2 liquids in a cup, stir, and pour you'll be in good shape!

[stormsdotter.livejournal.com]

I can do simple Chemistry. :) I'll look for you there.

[muffyjo]

I'm very excited as I'm curios to see how I might apply it to theatre (for the use of Theatre at First, of course). And mostly, it sounds fun. So I'm very much looking forward to being part of the adventure. You're on my list.

[tk7602.livejournal.com]

Lots of good stuff there. It will be in the presentation, but if you haven't already read / worshipped the pages of this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Prop-Builders-Molding-Casting-Handbook/dp/1558701281

I highly recommend it. Even if he does have an odd fascination with molding fish.

[muffyjo]

Oh WOW! Yes, thank you! And I'm sorry I didn't make it in the end. I was taking a short nap beforehand so I wouldn't fall over in the panel and, well, it didn't turn out to be so short. But thank you for the lead on the book. I've added it to my wishlist.

[tk7602.livejournal.com]

I'm uploading the presentations / videos / etc... now, so you can pretend you are there.

That particular book has a quick intro to everything. Molding, casting, vac forming, breakaway glass for stunts, set building... you name it :)

[muffyjo]

:::moves it to the TOP of the wish list::::

Oh yes, that's EXACTLY what I need to have. Thank you VERY much. And yes, I'll be very interested in the video footage.